JUNE COMMUNITY CALENDAR

Hennepin offers low-cost vaccination clinics which includes measles. Vaccines prevent diseases for people of all ages, and Hennepin County is offering low-cost immunizations, including shots to prevent the measles. For people who lack health insurance or whose health insurance does not cover vaccines. Hennepin has about two dozen people infected with measles, and the public health department is reminding parents of the importance of keeping immunizations up to date. Donations are requested but not required for the immunizations. For more information about these clinics, call 612-348-2884 or go to www.hennepin.us/vaccines. The clinics will be held:

Come by the Mille Lacs Indian Museum anytime from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm and we will teach kids how to make a dream catcher to take home. The dream catcher is a woven web believed to allow only good dreams to pass to the person who sleeps beneath it. Cost is $5 per kit and that includes materials and an instructional handout. Please allow an hour to make the craft. This project is recommended for children ages 8 and up. For more information please contact the museum at 320-532-3632 or send an e-mail to: millelacs@mnhs.org.

June 11-12

The Twin Cities American Indian Arts Festival

An outdoor festival that celebrates American Indian arts and cultures and stimulates economic opportunity along historic Franklin Ave. in Minneapolis. This free and open event celebrates the rich history and place of American Indian people. Interact with American Indian contemporary fine artists, dancers, singers and exhibitors in the outdoor All My Relations Arts Plaza. Cultural demonstrations, a fine arts plaza, hands-on activities, vendors, and food that showcase American Indian cultures and traditions. And an art show with credentialed artists representing a diversity of styles, and mediums. Live music: Bluedog Band, Jackie Bird, Los Nativos, Mitch Walking Elk, Native Pride Dancers, Chase Manhattan and Pamyua. And Comedian "Tito" Ybarra. Festival Location: 16th St. and Franklin Ave. For info, see: www.allmyrelationsarts.com/festival.

and June 25 from 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. for Absentee Voting, Located next to the Che Wa Ka E Gon in Cass Lake, MN. FMI: 1-877-577-7945.

June 14

Two Spirits documentary airing on PBS

Two Spirits interweaves the tragic story of a mother’s loss of her son with a revealing look at the largely unknown history of a time when the world wasn’t simply divided into male and female and many Native American cultures held places of honor for people of integrated genders. Fred Martinez was n?dleeh?, a male-bodied person with a feminine nature, a special gift according to his ancient Navajo culture. He was one of the youngest hate-crime victims in modern history when he was brutally murdered at 16. Two Spirits explores the life and death of this boy who was also a girl, and the essentially spiritual nature of gender. Two Spirits tells compelling stories about traditions that were once widespread among the indigenous cultures of North America. The film explores the contemporary lives and history of Native two-spirit people – who combine the traits of both men and women with qualities that are also unique to individuals who express multiple genders. The documentary Two Spirits will air nationally on PBS-Independent Lens on June 14 at 10 pm. Please check your local listings for channel and to confirm time. The films will also be screened at these locations:

o June 8 in Sheboygan, WI. At 12:30 pm at the John Michael Kohler Arts Center, 608 New York Ave.

o June 18 in Madison, WI. 1:00 pm at the Madison Public Library, 201 W. Mifflin St.

o June 18 in Chicago, Ill. At 2:00 pm at the Chicago Cultural Center, 78 E. Washington St.

June 16

Mnisota, an Indigenous Place: Exploring the Bdote Memory Map

The Minnesota Humanities Center is pleased to announce an evening event Mnisota, an Indigenous Place: Exploring the Bdote Memory Map. Facilitator: Mona Smith, Allies: media/art. The name of the state of Minnesota comes from the Dakota language. The Dakota language is written on the landscape of the Twin Cities, in place names from Mendota to Anoka. The language is a reflection of deep connection to this place. Come and hear Mona Smith, creator of the Bdote Memory Map, talk about this online resource for recognizing Minnesota as an Indigenous place. Gain a deeper understanding of the significance of places in Minnesota like Minnehaha Falls, Coldwater Springs, and the Mississippi River to this land’s first people. Event takes place from 6:30-8:00 p.m at 987 Ivy Ave East, St. Paul, MN. Everyone is welcome! Cost: $5. For more information or to register visit www.mnhum.org/

outreach/bdote.

June 16

Women of Nations Spring Feast 2011

A community picnic from 11:30 to 2 pm will be held at Cherokee Park Shelter, 700 Cherokee Heights Blvd, (between Baker & Annapolis) St. Paul, MN. No RSVP required. For more info, call 651-251-1603 or email: GMicek@women-of-nations.org.

June 18-19

Birch Bark Harvest Workshop

Come and learn how to harvest, store and work with birch bark in this two-day workshop. We will be going into the woods so please dress accordingly. On the second day participants will be making a basket out of their harvested bark. If weather permits we will host the workshop onour alternate weekend of June 25 & 26. Registration is required by June 15. Discounted hotel rooms are available for workshop participants on Saturday night at Grand Casino Mille Lacs. A light lunch and refreshments will be provided both days. Days and times are Saturday, June 18 from noon until the bark is harvested and on Sunday June 19 from 10 am to 2 pm. Same times if held on the 25th and 26th. Cost is $65 for public and $60 for MN Historical Society and Mille Lacs Band members. There is an additional supply fee of $10. A minimum of 5 participants required to host workshop. Children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Please call the museum for reservations or more information at 320-532-3632 or send an e-mail to: millelacs@mnhs.org.

June 18-21

World Peace and Prayer Day/Honoring Sacred Sites

World Peace and Prayer Day/Honoring Sacred Sites was created as an effort to bring about the consciousness to all humanity upon Mother Earth to bring attention to her need for a great healing. We ask you to join us in this time, in your own faith for a great healing. This year’s speakers include:?Chief Arvol Looking Horse, 19th Generation Keeper of the White Buffalo Calf Pipe Bundle. Isaac James Bishra, Maori Nation, New Zealand. Brave Heart Society & Elk Soldier Society, South Dakota. Claudette Commanda, Executive Director for the First Nations Confederacy, Canada, Swami Nityamuktananga Saraswati (Dr. Christa-Maria Herrmann). Reverend Deacon Conrad Plante, Archdiocese of Winnipeg. Shri Natha Devi Premananda, Los Angeles. Yoshie Ebihara, Japan. Dawid Hermanus Kruiper, South Africa. Isak Kruiper, South Africa. Josephine Mandamin, Manitoulin Island. Rabbi Bob Carroll, Israel. And Anna Festus (Ans), South Africa. For more info, see: www.worldpeaceandprayerday2011.org. Schedule of events:

o June 18: at 10:00 am, Peace Riders arrive at Bdote, MN at Pilot Knob Park, Mendota Heights. Lighting of the Sacred Fire beginning World Peace and Prayer Day. At 2:00 pm there will be speakers and sharing about the Peace Ride and the history of Tail Feather Woman. Location: Church of Saint Peter at WPPD tent in Mendota. At 6:00 pm there will be cultural entertainment and concert. Performers TBA.

June 19: Check in begins. Take LRT (Light Rail Transit) to Fort Snelling stop. Come early and enjoy entertainment and educational opportunities. Welcoming Peace Rider and World Largest Hug – timed with the 7th inning stretch of Twins Game (approx 2:30-3:15). Location: on the west bound lanes of the Mendota Bridge/Hwy 55 which will be closed to cars. There will also be speakers talking about the environment at the Church of St. Peter, Mendota. Music and speakers starting at 4:00 pm. Camp fires at 6:30 pm with story telling by Elders, cultural entertainment and concert.

June 21: International World Peace And Prayer Day. From Sunrise to Sunset: Silent prayer and walk across the Mendota Bridge, walking to the Gathering at Ft. Snelling Park (2+ miles round trip). Prayer in four directions and closing.

June 21 (begins)

NACC Living in Balance Workshop

Please join NACC Living in Balance Workshop Leaders for our next workshop begining June 21st. This 6 week interactive workshop is a fun and easy way to help you learn how to manage your chronic health conditions and problem lifestyle issues, and identify small action steps to reach personal health goals. Space is limited, call early to sign up or for more information. Food is offered during the workshop and incentive for completion of all 6 sessions. Call Connie at 612-872-8086, ext 116.

June 21

Conversation on economic future of the region

MPR News, Lakeland Public Television, and Bemidji Pioneer will host a community conversation on the economic future of the region. 7-8:30 p.m., free reception with light food 6-7 p.m at the American Indian Resource Center, Bemidji State University. For more info, call Laurie Stern at 651 290-1049.

June 22

Asdzani Shash: The Woman Who Turned Into A Bear

New Native Theatre Presents Well Red Play Reading Series newest play "Asdzani Shash: The Woman Who Turned Into A Bear." Set near the Navajo reservation, it is a story about being a sensual Native woman in a world were elders are not valued (and are not ready to take on the responsibility of being an elder) and where Native culture is seen through the lens of ever present social service organizations. Featuring a national cast of Navajo actors, Harrison Lowe and Kim Gleason. Made possible through a Jerome Fellowship workshop provided by The Playwrights’ Center. Starts at 7 pm. at the Minneapolis American Indian Center, 1530 E. Franklin Avenue, Minneapolis. For more info see: http://newnativetheatre.org.

Ends June 23

Ojibwe Cultural and Language

Ojibwe Cultural and Language at Metropolitan State University. Summer Session I takes place May 9 through June 23: Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Dr. Brendan Fairbanks is the instructor. For more info, contact Renee Beaulieu-Banks at 651-793-1560 or e-mail: renee.beaulieubanks@metrostate.edu

June 23- 26

Nagaajiwanaang Ojibwe Language Camp

The 3rd Annual Nagaajiwanaang (Fond du Lac’s) Ojibwe Language Camp will be held at the Kiwenz Campground in Sawyer, MN. Free and open to the public. This four day language immersion camp is for anyone who is interested in perserving the Ojibwe language. It is for any level of speaker and even non-Ojibwe speakers who want to learn more. There will be daily traditional activities such as: Birch bark basket making with Jim Northrup, Drumming and Drum Stick Making along with singing lessons with Randy Gresczyk, Making Cedar Ricing Knockers and Ricing Poles with Charlie "Tuna" Nahgahnub, Flute Making with Frank Montano, Making Bannock on a stick with Nancy Jones, Moccasin Making, Quill Art and much more. Confirmed Fluent Speakers include: Dan Jones, Gordon Jourdain, Rick Gresczyk, Nancy Jones and others. Each day there will be meals provided. We ask that you will bring your own non-disposable dinnerware. If your family would like to co-sponsor one of these meals please contact Jim or Pat Northrup at 218-878-0245. Feel free to bring food to share. This camp is free and open to all people of all backgrounds and speaking levels. If you have questions regarding this camp or would like to make a monetary donation, contact Jim or Pat Northrup at 218-878-0245 or Rick Gresczyk at 952-215-1973.

June 26 (deadline)

Native Chat Film Festival on Youtube

The Native Chat Film Festival continues on YouTube. The 9 films (made by Native youth of Minnesota)?that get the most hits through June 26th will be awarded with cash prizes! So please take some time and check them out at: www.youtube.com/user/NativeChat.

June 27-29

Native Youth Learning & Leading Gathering

This gathering will provide learning and leadership opportunities for Native Youth who are currently involved with or interested in starting Native Youth Councils in their community. We will be bringing in youth development experts from across the U.S. to present and run workshops at this event. Youth will have an opportunity to meet and learn directly from other Native youth across the U.S. who are involved with Youth Councils or Youth Leadership on their reservations. We are inviting each reservation and the urban area to recruit teams of 8 youth (4 males & 4 females) plus 2 Youth Council adult Advisors/ chaperones (1 male & 1 female). The cost for the gathering is $100 per team, plus team is responsible for their own transportation and hotel expenses. Food, supplies and other costs associated with the gathering will be provided once your team arrives. Hotel Registration: There is a block of rooms set aside for teams to book until June 13th. To reserve your rooms, please call Black Bear’s reservation line at (1-888-771-0777) and ask to book a room under: Native Youth Gathering Group Block. Team Registrations due June 17th. For questions please contact Susan Beaulieu at 218-330-4857 or: beau0181@umn.edu.

June 30 (deadline)

Native graduate student

fellowships

The Christopher B. Duro Fellowship is a merit and need based fellowship for Native students pursuing graduate study to help the advancement of Native communities. Students chosen will be eligible for up to $25,000 per year, based on need and will be required to perform community service hours with the Southern California Tribal Education Institute and publish a scholarly article. Preference given to first-generation Native graduate students. Deadline is June 30. Notification of Awards is Aug. 2011. For info, see: http://sctei.org/SCTEI/Fellowship.html, or contact Christopher B. Duro at: sctei@yahoo.com.

July 28-31

Protecting Mother Earth Gathering

The 16th Protecing Mother Earth Gathering looks to educate and inform on environmental issues from across the Americas. The gathering will be held at the Four Bears Tribal Park in New Town, N.D. The theme of this year will explore the importance of Water, Climate, Energy and the importance of Health & Culture in our modern world. The Indigenous Environmental Network is inclusive of all Indigenous Peoples across Mother Earth and their plight to help protect their ancestral lands and better work together with government agencies and private industries to ensure lands are left pristine and clean for generations to come. For more information on the Indigenous Environmental Network please visit www.ienearth.org, or call 218-751-4967